[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 30 (Thursday, February 25, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S1032]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING JOHN ORIZOTTI

  Mr. DAINES. Madam President, John Orizotti, most famously known as 
``Pork Chop John,'' passed away on Monday in his Butte home at the age 
of 82. Montanans know John for his efforts to expand his restaurant's 
flourishing business. John bought Pork Chop John on 8 West Mercury 
Street in 1969, when sandwiches sold for 65 cents.
  According to his oldest son Rick Orizotti, owning the shop was 
something he wanted to do his whole life, and he always kept his eye on 
it. Rick said: ``He was truly very proud to be Pork Chop John. He was a 
man that really loved going to work, really worked hard.''
  John was born in Butte on September 25, 1933. He graduated from Butte 
High School in 1951 and married his high school sweetheart Mary Carol 
when he was 21 and she was 19.
  He worked for his father-in-law Dan Piazzola at the Better Meat 
Market and then went on to open the Main Public Market in 1960 with 
Piazzola before buying Pork Chop John 9 years later. The restaurant has 
expanded to a second location on 2400 Harrison Avenue, which was 
formerly a Texaco gas station. After John retired 20 years ago, two of 
his sons, Ed and Tom Orizotti, took over the restaurant and currently 
run Pork Chop John.
  I remember as a kid in Montana, it was the stop you made when you 
were on a trip. It didn't matter whether you were on a sports trip, 
band trip or a speech debate trip, you stopped at Pork Chop John's in 
Butte to grab something to eat.
  In fact, the very first stop my wife and I made after we announced 
our campaign for the U.S. Congress in Bozeman was at Pork Chop John's 
in Butte to grab a sandwich.
  All seven of Orizotti's children have worked at the restaurant at 
some point in their lives and the pork chop batter recipe remains a 
family secret to this day. The restaurant itself has been in the family 
for 47 years.
  John was greatly beloved by many in his community. His past employees 
and friends have nothing but wonderful things to say about him, 
including how he would put his whole heart into all of his endeavors. 
Others called him gentle, caring, honest, and never having a bad word 
to say about anybody. He has probably been best described as one of the 
legends of Butte and a ``Butte icon.''
  John Orizotti made a lasting impact on his family, community, and 
business. May his legacy of hard work and kind heart be forever honored 
and remembered.
  Cindy and I offer our deepest condolences to the family.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BROWN. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent to speak in 
morning business for up to 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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